Ponquogue Beach

Suffolk County, NY

Ponquogue Beach offers public shoreline and pier access on the Atlantic coast in Suffolk County. Common targets include striped bass, bluefish, and summer flounder.

Live · updated

Striped Bass — Drop everything — ideal day for Striped Bass.

Best conditions of 3 species tracked at Ponquogue Beach.

96 /100
ideal
Air Temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind
6 to 13 mph
SW
Rain
3%
Saturday
Pressure
Steady
6-hour trend
Water Temp
63°F
Tidal waters
Tide
incoming
Sunrise
5:19 AM
Sunset
8:17 PM
Moon · 70%
waning gibbous
Time Type Height
1:04 AM High 2.2 ft
7:50 AM Low 0.3 ft
1:52 PM High 1.8 ft
7:50 PM Low 0.8 ft

3 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.

#1 Striped Bass Drop everything — ideal day for Striped Bass. In season 96/100

What's helping

  • 63°F water — right in striped bass's ideal range
  • incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
  • 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."

Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.

Min size
28"
Max size
31"
Daily creel
1

28–31" slot, 1 fish/day. Inline (non-offset) circle hooks required when fishing with bait.

Source: New York regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#2 Bluefish Great day to fish for Bluefish. In season 84/100

What's helping

  • 63°F water — inside bluefish's active range
  • incoming tide — bluefish prefers incoming tide
  • 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

About. Pomatomus saltatrix — Toothy, aggressive pelagic predator. "Snapper blues" invade the lower Bay and coastal bays in summer; bigger choppers along the Atlantic coast. Hits metal jigs, topwater, and cut bait savagely — wire leaders recommended.

Prefers. Water 60–80°F (ideal 70°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–50 ft.

Daily creel
5

No minimum size. 5 fish/day from shore or private boat (more on for-hire vessels).

Source: New York regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

#3 Summer Flounder Great day to fish for Summer Flounder. In season 80/100

What's helping

  • 63°F water — right in summer flounder's ideal range
  • 13 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed

What's hurting

  • incoming tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide

About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.

Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.

Min size
19"
Daily creel
6

19" minimum, 6 fish/day, Apr 1–Dec 31.

Source: New York regulations · verified 2026-05-29.

Water Body

Atlantic Ocean

Region

Long Island

Access

Pier, shore, and ramp

Jurisdiction

New York

Coordinates

40.8377, -72.4912

Local reports & rules for Ponquogue Beach: New York DEC fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →

Do I need a fishing license to fish at Ponquogue Beach?

Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Ponquogue Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website

What fish are commonly targeted at Ponquogue Beach?

Ponquogue Beach is listed on this site for 3 commonly-targeted species: Striped Bass, Bluefish, Summer Flounder. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.

When is the best time to fish at Ponquogue Beach?

It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Ponquogue Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.

What kind of access does Ponquogue Beach have?

Ponquogue Beach has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.

Which state's fishing regulations apply at Ponquogue Beach?

state agency regulations apply at Ponquogue Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.

Is Ponquogue Beach tidal water?

Yes. Ponquogue Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.

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